Tractor-belt mechanism.



W. STRAIT.

TRACTOR BELT MECHANISM.

APPLICATlON FILED MAY 24, I9l3- RENEWED AUG. 4.191].

1,298,597. Patented Mar. 25, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. STRAI'T. TRACTOR BELT MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24. I913. RENEWED AUG. 4,1917.

Patented Mar. 25, 1919.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM STRAIT, F APPLETON', WISCONSIN.

'rrmcron-iannr MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented lua 25 1919 K Application filed May 24, 1913, Serial No. 769,620. Renewed August 4, 1917. Serial No. 184,538.v

- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM STRAIT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Appleton, Wisconsin, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Tractor- Belt Mechanism, of'which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tractor belts or chains, sprockets and lubricating devices therefor. The accompanying drawing shows one exemplifying embodiment of the invention. It should be understood that structural features may be greatly varied, within the limits of the invention. I a

Figure 1 is a side view of oneend of a tractor chain or belt and its supporting sprocket, certain of the links being shown.

in section.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan of two of the links. Fig. 3 is a top plan of one of the links. Fig.4 is a detail of one of the hinge connections showing the lubricator, and

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of one end of one of the hinges.

Reference character 1 designates a sprocket hub having a flange 2; To this flange the two or more sprocket segments 3. are secured by screws or bolts 4:. By making the sprocket in two or more segments it may be easily removed when worn or damaged, with- .out the trouble or expense of dismantling the machine of which the tractor is a part.

The belt or chain consists of separate links, each consisting principally of a body 5. At each side of the body are a plurality of hinge eyes 6. Preferably, the center eye at one side of each link is made relatively wide as at 7 for engagement by the sprocket.-

The center of each link is provided with a recess 8, and within this recess is a counterof wood, or some composition having the necessary qualities of strength and durability for tractor service. Bolts 14 passing through cars 11, plates 12 and blocks 13,

secure all of said parts together. The tread blocks are provided with countersinks 15 to receive the bolt heads. The tread blocks may be further strengthened by transverse bolts 16, any desired number of thesebeing used in each block.

The links are connected together by tubular hinge plns 20, passing through the eyes. These'pins are secured by end caps 21 and at least one of these caps for eachpin-is preferably screwed on so that it is easily removable. The 'pins areperforated as at 22, and within the pins are lubricators 23.

Such lubricators may be simply absorbent packing,such as waste, filled with oil, but

preferably the lubricators are removable, and 1n that case, as .shown in thedrawings, they consist of cores or bodies 24 with a covering 25 of felt or other suitable lubricant carrier. Preferably, the core extends somewhat from the end'of the felt as shown, so that when the adjacent .cap 21 is removed the lubricator may be easily grasped and pulled out, dipped in a bucket of oil, and replaced, and the capagain screwed on. The hinges of these chains are subject to great strain and wear if not properly lubricated, and the lubricating means just described afiords satisfactory lubrication and protection for the joints for a long period of time without renewal, and'when renewal is required it may be cheaply and quickly accomplished, as explained.-

On each link at each end of the tooth socket 9 is a flat space 30, and when the fectively engaged, a sprocket tooth 31 being in each socket 9, a sprocket segment 33 engaging each eye "7, and a sprocket bearing member 34 engaging each flat space 30. A very large wearing surface is thus afforded and the chain will run a long time before wear is appreciable. The chain is also very effectively held on the. true pitch line and tyz strain is largely taken off the pins 20,

the same time they by the engagement' of segments'33 with eyes 7. a

Figs; '1 and 2 show that guard plates 12 are provided'with overlapping projections '40, and these'are arranged to accommodate ground.

By using tubular hinge pins these hingebearings maybe made of large diameter;

and great increasing the weight ofthe belt. The lubricators 23 may be used to lubriwearing capacity without unduly cate. the bearing surfaces of the. sprocketby providing a perforation 22 ino'ne or more of the eyes 7. Oil 'will then passfr om the lubricator through holes to hole 22 and thence to the sprocket.

Iclaim: 1. In tractor belt mechanisimthe' combination of chain links havi int fitti hinge-eyes on their ends, said eyes extending inwardly of the links to form sprocket-engaging members, pins passing through said eyes, the links being provided with substantlally central sockets and sprocket-engaging shoulders-between said sockets and said eyes,

a sprocket having laterally e'xtending s0ck-" ets to engage said projections, shoulders to engage the shoulders on the l-inksand teeth ease to engage the sockets in the links and tread blocks secured to the outer faces of the links.

.2.- In tractor belt mechanism,-the eombination vof cha'in links having interfitting hinge-eyes ontheir ends, said eyes extending inwardly of the links to form "art-cylindrical sprocket-engaging mem ers, pins passing through said eyes, the links being provided with substantially central sockets and sprocket-engaging:shoulders between 5 said socketsand said eyes, a sprocket having laterally-extending sockets 'to engage said i3 part-cylindrical projections, shoulders to engage the shoulders on the links, teeth to en- I 4 .gage th'e sockets in the links,treadb1ocks secured to the outer faces of the links, guardv ,plates secured to the outer faces of thelinksy each plate extendingbeyond' one. end of its v link and overlapping, and flexibly engaging the adjacent link so as to prevent passage of dig]: in any of theangular positions ofthe hinge-eyes. adapted toengage theteeth of a sprocketwheel, tread blocks secured to the links, hollow hinge pins passing through detachable caps upon the pins engaging the outermost hinge-eyes to securethe pins and lubricators in' position;

,Witiiesses: a

A. M. PARKIN'S,

SMITH.

'3, In traction'beltmechanism, the combination of chain-links having interfitting 'the eyes, lubricators within the pins, and

WILLIAM 'sTmuT; 

